Mail-handling machine



MAIL HANDLING MACHINE Original VFiled Oct. l0, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 69

W. H. ALDEN, JR

MAIL HANDLING MACHINE Origiml Filed oct, 1o. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/G. ZZZ

INVENTOR W. H, ALDEN, JR

MAIL HANDLING MACHINE Sept. 6 1927. 1,641,406

Original Filed Oct. lO, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 www TTORVEYS Sept. 6,1927. l,641,406

F/q. X 56X %MMBY 14 TTURNYS Patented Slept. 6, 1 927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. ALBEN, JB., F BRYN ATHYN, PENNSYLVANIA.

MAILLHANDLING MACHINE.

Applicaties ined october 1o, 1921, serial m. season. Renewed February 7, 1927.

This invention relates to mail handling machines and particularly to a machine. of this character which is capable of folding a letter or circular, inserting it into an en- 5 vclope and in sealing the envelope so loaded. The primary object of this invention is to so improve machines of this nature as to render them practically fool proof in operation through simplicity of construction, the 1U machine of this invention, by comparison to other machines of a similar nature, being exceedingly simple both in its principles of operation and in the number of parts of which it is composed and in the character of their movements. This simplicity gives a maximum amount of positivenessand certainty in the performance of its functions.

Briefly described I provide a machine of the following general arrangement. Two envelope containin compartments having one end open are isposed in substantially parallel planes immediately adjacent to each other and each compartment is adapted to hold a stack of envelopes. One compartment feeds the envelopes forwardly toward the open end by means of a suitable pushing device and the other compartment receives the envelopes with the matter inserted therein through its open end and holds them in a stacked position lby means of a similar pushing device which yields slightly as the envelopes accumulate in this compartment. The open ends of the two compartments are disposed in substantially the same transverse plane and in order to get an envelope from the feeding compartment to the receiving compartment it is only necessary to slide it from the open face of the one compartment to the open face of the other without its 'lfl. traversin" any extended route from the one This is a feature which en provide an unusually compact to the ot 1er. ables me to machine.

The letter or circular folding mechanism I5 comprises one or more reciprocating blades operating in die-like slots in a. manner to be hereinafter particularly described. The number of blades is dependent entirely upon the number and character of the folds it is desired to impart to the matter being handled. The blade which imparts'the final fold is arranged in a. plane which is substantially at right angles to the planes of the two comto its initial or folding partments just mentioned but the envelopes in the compartments are disposed in planes which are parallel to the plane of this blade which imparts the final fold and the outermost envelope in each compartment is immediately adjacent the path of movement of such blade. The final folding blade after it has accomplished its folding function is arranged to move across the faces of the two envelope compartments, passing first the feedin compartment and then advancing towar the' receiving compartment on its outward stroke as will appear more clearly hereinafter. The envelopes are fed forward in the feedmg compartment with their flaps closed and the first operation in connection'with the envelopes is to open the ila-p of the outermost envelope in the feeding compartment. Suitable mechanism -is provided for accomphshing this and after its accomplishment another element which I have termed a back opener comes inI to play to open the back of the envelope and at the same time remove it from the feeding stack and hold it directly in the path of movement of the final folding blade. This blade, carrying the vfinally folded matter, then advances and enters the envelope so opened and held by the back opener and thereby inserts the folded matter therein. The blade then continues its motion toward the receivin stack carrying the loaded envelope from o the back opener and placing it in front of the envelope receiving compartment. Here the envelope and its contents are retained by suitable holding devices while the blade is withdrawn position at the other end of its stroke. It should be borne in mind at this point that the envelope has been moved from one stack to the other with its flap in a straight out position parallel with the face of the envelope and as it stands in front of the receiving stack the iiap still retains this position. A suitable pushing device now comes into operation which forces the loaded envelope out of the plane of the 100 moving blade and into the receiving stack. As the envelope is forced past the ed e of the open end of the compartment its ap is pushed backwardly away from the face of the envelo until it assumes a position at 105 right ang es to the face of the envelope.

Suitable means is provided for applying moisture and when the next envelope is transferred from the feeding stack to the receiving stack it catches the flap of the preceding envelope and folds it own against the back of said preceding envelope. The cycle of operations is thus completed and the details of the various mechanisms mentioned will be considered below.

An additional object of prime importance contemplated by my invention is the provision of a Asingle oscillating operating shaft for imparting the necessary motions to all of the devices above mentioned. There are no complicated gear or roll relations, all of the motions being of a simple oscillating or swinging type.

Additional objects and advantages will appear in connection with the following description relating to nthe accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention in preferred form.

Figure 1 is an isometric view o f the coinplete machine; Figure 2 is a sectionatview of that portion of the machine which is designed to receive7 seal and stack the loaded envelopes; Figure 3 is a detailed view of the flap opening mechanism; Figure 4 is a partial side view of the mechanism of l4`igurel S showing the construction in greater detail Figure 5 is a detailed view'of the mechanism for opening the backs/of the envelopes and pulling them away from the delivery or feeding stack: Figure 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of the levers and connecting links which operate the two principal motions; Figure 7 is a side view of an alternate envelope moistening device: Figure 8 is a face view of the device of Figure 7 Figure 9 illustrates what is meant'by a Z fold and Figure 10 whatkis meant by an over and over fold.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1 the machine, indicated as a whole by the reference character A, comprises the legs 1 and the table 2. In the machine illustrated the folding of the paper is accomplished by means of two blades 3 and-4 mounted for reciprocation in planes whichcross each other substantially at right angles. The blade 3 is rigidly secured to a sliding member 5 mounted to reciprocate upon the guide rod 6 an'd arranged so that in its reciprocation it moves backward and forward in a slot 7 formed between suitably arranged pieces of sheet metal S. The initial position of the blade 3 is at the hack of the slot 7 and the sheet of paper to be folded is first placed in the slot 9 also formed by pieces of sheet metal 8 but arranged in a plane which is substantially at ,right angles to that of the slot 7. The outer or entrance end of the slot 9 is bellmouthed as indicated at 10 in order to facilitate the entrance of the paper and the inner end of the slot 9 is closed by means of a suitably formed abutment or stop 11 which can take the form of a bend in one of the sheet metal pieces 8 or of an independent adjustable inember capable of movement toward or away from the line of intersection between the slots 7 and 9 for the purpose of varying the initial fold to suit individual requirements or conditions. The blade 3 is shown in its forward position with a sheet of paper 12, either a letter or a circular, bent around it. This paper was first placed in the slot 9 transversely of the slot 7, but as the blade 3 moves forwardly it drags the paper with it into the position illustrated in Fig. 1 thereby giving the paper its initial fold and the crease in this instance being :ipproximately one third of the distance from an end of the sheet. The mechanism for iniparting the necessary reciprocating motion to the blade 3 will be described in detail hereinafter.

The sheet of paper is now ready to be acted upon by the second folding blade 4 for the purpose of imparting the second and in this case final fold. The blade 4 is mounted upon the sliding member 13 which travels back and forth along the guide rod 14. It should be noted that this sliding member as well as the sliding member 5 previously mentioned are prevented from turning on their respective guide rods by means of suitable keys running in the key ways 15 and 16. The blade 4 is illustrated in Figure l in its initial or retracted position at the left. of the machine. Asit slides forwardly along the guide rod 14 the sheet l2 is forced through the folding slot 17 and the tinal fold imparted. In the arrangement of slots illustrated the sheet of paper has then been given what I term a Z fold as illustrated in Figui'e 9. By moving the abutment l1 suflicientlv far awayfrom the intersection of the slots and 9 it is possible to make the initial fold one third of the distance down the sheet from the other end than that which is illustrated and in such ease the second fold would give what is termed an over and over fold as illustrated in Figure 10. rlhe Z fold is commonly used where it is desired to have the address show through an envelope with a transparent front but otherwise the most common fold is the over and over fold.

It is desired to call attention to the fact that the blade 4 has a very long stroke upon the guide rod 14 much longer iu fact than is necessary merelv to impart the last fold. The reason for this is that the second or final folding blade is designed to perform other functions which it will be noted are accomplished by a single stroke and in the shortest possible operating space. After being forced through the slot 17 the sheet of paper is carried along the face of the lUU partition 18 between it and the guides 19 to a position in front of the envelope feeding compartment 20 at which point it 1s entered into an envelope opened and held in proper position by means of mechanism-to be described later. From this point onward as the movement of the blade 4 continues the loaded envelope is carried from its position in front of the feeding compartment 20 to a. position in front of the receiving compartment 21. Then this is accomplishedthe blade is withdrawn and the moistening and sealing operations take place as will also appear hereinafter.

The stack of envelopes 22 is placed in the feeding compartment with the flaps 23 closed or in other words in the normal position in which envelopes are prepared by the manufacturer. The tops of the envelopes are toward the approaching blade 4 so that the flap opening is away from said blade. A follower plate 24, acted upon by means of the rod 25 arranged to slide in an opening 26 in the back of the compartment and the weight `27 which acts to push the rod forwardly through the medium of the cord 28 serves to advance the envelopes in the compartment as the outermost one is loaded' and removed. Retaining shoulders 29 serve to prevent the envelopes from being pushed out into the path of the blade 4 exceptv as they are needed and removed by the proper mechanism. y

Before the outermost envelope is removed from the stack in the feeding compartment its flap 23 is opened by the flap opening blade 30 the details ot the opera-tion of which will now be described particular reference being had to Figures 3 and 4. This mechanism is on the underside of the table 2 the blade 30 projecting upwardly therefrom. A shaft 31 is rigidly secured to the base 32 of the blade 30. A link 33 embraces the shaft 31 at two points having bearings 34 and 35. The other end of this link is pivoted at 36 and 37 to the shaft 38'which` is rigidly secured to the frame or table 2 at the point marked 39. 'A tie rod 40 of the same length as the link 33 is pivoted to the base 32 of the blade 30 at the point 41 and to the table 2 at the point marked 42. The distance between the pivot points 34 and 41 at the base of the blade is equal to the distance between the pivot points 39 and 42 and a line drawn through the centers of the pivots 39 and 42 would` be substantially parallel to the face of the envelope to be opened and since the blade is also vdisposed in a plane which is substantially parallel to the face of the envelope it will be seen that throughout its entire range of movement the flap opening blade will be at all times parallel to the face of the envelope or substantially so. The normal position of the fia opening blade is indicated at 43 in which vthe varying position it is held by means of a spring 44 one end of which is attached to Ithe link 33 and the other end to some point on the frame Y.

or table of the machine.

The drive rod 45 for the operation of this mechanism is pivotally connected to an extension 46 ot' the crank 47 and the crank 47 is "igidly secured to the main driving shaft 48. Oscillation of the shaft 48 therefore imparts a reciprocatory mot-ion to the rod 45 which slides through a. slotted opening 49 in an extension member 50 rigidly secured to the link 33. The slot 49 permits free sliding movement of the rod regardless of angularity between it and the extension member. A stop 51 is adjustably secured by means of the set screw 52't`o the rod 45 ata point on the outside of the extension member 50 or on the side away from the operating shaft 48.

The shaft 48 is provided with a main operating crank 53 the movement of which is of an oscillatory character and the extent of which is approximately a quarter of a revolution in each direction. As the main crank is moved in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1, the rod 45 is first pushed through the opening 49 in a direction away from the shaft 48 and then afterward as the motion of the crank 53 is continued and toward the end of its -stroke the rod 45 is pulled a considerably greater distance toward the main shaft- 48 and as this movement takes place the adj ust-able stop 51 comes into contact withthe extension member 50 thereby swinging the link 33 around the pivot 39 until the flap opening blade assumes in turn the positions indicated at 43. 43", and 43. The position 43" is reaclied when the crank 53 has swung to its extreme limit of travel oi the backward stroke indicated by the arrow in Figure 1. During the return stroke of the crank 53 and particularly during the initiab portion of thereturn stroke the rod 45 moves the stop 51 away from the extension member 50 and thereby permits the spring 44 to return the flap opening blade 30 and its associated parts to their normal positions in which position they remain for the greater part of the cycle of operations. `Whcn the flap opening blade is in the position indicated at 43 the adiustable'stop 51 is in the position indicated, at 51'* and the extension member 50 at the position indicated by the reference character 50.

In its movement from .the position at 43 to the position at 43, the flap opening blade first passes over the outside of the flap pressing it against the backvof the envelope and afterwards moving slightly beyond the tip of the lia-p as clearly indicated in Figure 3. The fiap is then free to project forwardly slightly from the back of the envelope as also clearly indicated in this figure this action being brought about by the natural tendency of the Hap to spring away from the envelope and also somewhat by the projection 24l on the follower plate 24. It will be noticed that the extension 24n is on the front part of the follower plate 24 or on that part which comes opposite the flap of the envelope and it acts against the pressure of the flap 'opening' blade at the lower portion of the envelope. By means'of this arrangement the flap opening blade on its return stroke under the inuence of the spring 44 catches under the bottom of the flap as indicated by the position 43b and as 'its motion continues it swings the flap into an open osition and holds it in a straight out position against the partition 18 in a plane.. which is substantially parallel to the face of the envelope. In this position the blade 30 and the flap are to the inside of the path of movement of the blade 4 so that the blade 4 will not be interfered with in its motion across the compartments 20 and 21. v

The next step in the process of loading an envelope is that which I have termed the back opening step. In other words it is not suicient to merely open the flap of an enfvelope but the back also must be spread open slightly so that the blade 4 carrying the folded sheet 12 can readily enter therein. The mechanism by which this is accomplished is illustrated in detail in FigureV 5 to which reference should be made as well as to Figure 1.

The back opener comprises a, main or body portion of a blade-like character 54 provided at its opposite corners on one side with flexible tips 55. The flexible tips are referably made of a metal having a sight spring. After the flap has been opened these strips are made to enter the back of the envelope as indicated at 56 in Figure 5. The back opener is pivotally mounted at 57 and 58.upon a pair of parallel links 59 and 60, the outer ends of which are pivoted respectively at 61 and 62, the distance between pivot 57 and pivot 61 being equal tothe distance between pivot 58 and pivot 62.

--Pivets 6l and 62 are tixed pivots on the frame of the machine. This manner of 'mounting the back opener 1s pract1cally identical with that in which the flap opening blade was mounted and it will be seen that the back opener remains at all times substantially parallel to the face of the envelope. Crank G3 is fixedly secured to the 'link 60 and swinging motion is imparted to the back opener through the medium of this crank, the rod 64, the crank 65, the rod 66 and the crank 67 which latter is adjustably secured to the main operatingsha-ft 48.

.Parts 64 to 67 inclusive are clearly shown on Figure 1, the crank being pivoted to the frame at the point marked 68 and the rod 66 being pivoted to the crank 65 at the point marked 69 located between pivot 68 and pivot 70, lthelatter being for the rod 64.

The back opener is in the position indicated in full lines in Figure 5 when the main operating crank 53 is in the position indicated in Figure l. As the crank 53 is moved backward in the direction of the arrow it will be seen that the back opener will move toward the envelope and at the same time will swing slightly inward thereby insuring that the flexible tips 55 come in contact with the inside of the envelope and then slip under the back. As the motion progresses the back oaener is swung away from the stack ot' envelopes and the tips pull outwardly thus opening the envelope and pulling it from the stack out from beneath the retaining shoulders 29, the flap being still held out of the way by the liap opening blade. This position is indicated in dotted lfnes in Figure 5 at the point marked 54. The envelope is now ready to receive the folded sheet which is at this time inserted by the blade 4, the envelope having been pulled from the stack and held in the path of such blade 4. As the blade 4 continues in its travel toward the receiving stack it carries with it the envelope and its contents, the flap being drawn out from under the flap openinoblade and the envelope being slid oli' of tlhe back opener so that the back opener is free to swing to its extreme position indicated at 54b in Figure 5. In this position the back opener is out of the way .of the lap opening blade which at this time in the manner previously described moves forwardly and then backwardly to open the flap of the next succeeding envelope.

The blade carries the envelope and its contents as before stated to a position in front of the receiving compartment and the blade is then withdrawn, the envelope and its contents being held in this extreme position by means of the stops 7l which are bent backwardly at the tips to engage the opening in the back of the envelope and thereby restrain the envelope or its contents from any tendency to follow the folding and inserting blade 4 on its return motion.

After the iap opener has operated and the inserting blade has returned to its initial position at the far end of the machine the back opener swings into position ready to operate on the next envelope and at the same time that this is taking place a pressing operation is being accomplished at the receiving stack whereby the envelope placed in position in front of said stack or compartment is forced under the retaining clips 72.

The pushing device consists of a swinging frame 73 pivoted upon the rod 74 so as to swing inwardly and outwardly much after the manner of a door. The rod is trunnioned above and below in bearings 75 and Y with a follower ,position substantially the frame is rigidly secured to the rod. 'I 'he rod 74 passes down throu rh the pivot pomt 68 and is rigidly secure to the crank 65 so that motion of said crank movesl the frame 73. 4

As the envelope is forced into the receiving compartment the flap, which it will be remembered is in a straight out osition parallel with the face of the envc ope, is caught by the edge of the compartment and moved or swung around until it aumes a at right angles to the face of the envelope as clearly shown in Figure 2. In this position it remains while the moisture is applied in a manner to be'- described below and when the blade 4 next advances carr ing the next envelope and its contents this flap is caught by the succeeding envelope and forced back of the envelope.

The receiving compartment is provided plate 101, a pushing rod 76 back down against the and a weight 7 7 operating through the cord 78 of practically identical character with the corresponding parts in the feeding oompartment. The envelopes in the receiving compartment are therefore always held under tension which aids in causing the flap to become securely stuck as each envelope is pushed into position.

I have illustrated two forms of moistening apparatus. In the showing of Figure 1 there is a small supply receptacle 7 9 for the water which is rovided with a spraying nozzle 80 directed) to spray moisture on the back of the envelope over substantially the area which is to be covered by the gummed portion of the flap. The spray is created on the principle of the atomizer and the a1r pressure for which is obtained by reciprocation of the piston 81 in the cylinder 82, the piston being mounted upon a rod 83 bent so as to be secured upon the rod 64; all as clearly shown in Figure 1. It will be seen that the spraying takes place while an envelope is being forced under the clips 72.

The other form of moistening device is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. Secured to the frame 73 is a suitable receptacle or tank 84 provided with a filler opening 85. In Figure 8 thc flap of the envelope is indicated by the dotted line 86 and the gummed area by the shaded area 87. A piece of felt 89 is clamped between a plate 88 and the back of the receptacle 84. The plate 88 is rovided with an opening correspondin in s ape to the opening in the tank and tie plate is Ivery firmly pressed against the tank sot-hat the felt 89 protrudes toward the envelope through the opening in the manner indicated in Fi re 7. The felt opposite the opening in the p ate 88 is moistened by a series of small holes in the side of the compartment 84 indicated by the reference character 90. The moistening of the felt is confined to the portion opposite the opening in the plate by virtue of the pressule exerted by the plate on the relnalning portion of the felt and it will, therefore, be seen that when the pusher operates to push the envelope into the receiving compartment the moistcncd portion of the felt corresponding to the gummed area on the flap will come in contact with the back of the envelope and properly meisten it to receive the ummed portion ol the llap as it is turned own by the next forward stroke of the inserting blade 4, as already described.

An analysis of the motions incident to the operation of the machine will now be undertaken reference being had particularly to Figure 6 and also of course to Figure l. In my machine it should be noted at this point, each of the motions going to make up the complete cycle of operations is a reciprocating motion and the method of imparting this type of motion has been greatly simpliiied by' my invention and this through the adoption of an oscillating main driving shaft 48. This drive shaft has a rotary motion of approximately a. quarter of a turn rst in one direction and then in the other and the motion is imparted by the crank 53 as has n previously pointed out. In my construction therefore cams, intermittent gears, etc., usually found in machines of this character are eliminated all of which enables me to provide an exceedingly compact and etlicient machine. r

The sliding member 5 carrying the first folding blade 3. receives its motion through crank 47 and link 91. The knife 3 is shown in its extreme forward position in Fi e 1 and this position is the position indlcated in dotted'lines in Figure 6 at 47 91 and 5". As the main crank 53 is moved in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 the blade 3 will V4move to the far side of the slot 7 until it clears the edge of the slot 9 and this position is indicated in full lines in Fi re 6 at 47, 91 Further movement o the main crank 53 in the direction of the arrow will bring these parts to the osition indicated in Figure 6 at 47", 91b an 5b and when the crank 53 has reached its extreme rearward position these same parts will assume the location indicated in Figure 6 at 47 c and 91, the sliding member 5 in this instance ae'- sumin" the same position as it would have with the parts as indicated in full lines. It will, therefore, be noted that throughout the last half of the stroke of the main crank 53 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 1 and throughout the first half of the return stroke, the sliding member 5 and consequently the blade 3 which it carries will remain to' all practical purposes substantially stationary there being simply a slight retrograde movement to the position 5*"and then back again to the position 5. During the final half of the return stroke of the crank 53 the blade will be advanced to the dotted line position at 5a and the sheet of paper which had previously been placed in the slot 9 will have received its initial fold and the machine will be in the condition illustrated in Figure l.

The second folding blade 4 mounted upon the sliding member 13 receives its motion from the same main shaft 48 and crank 53 through the medium of the crank 92 fixed to the shaft 48, the link 93, crank 94, gear 95, pinion 96, shaft 97, crank 98 and link 99. With the machine in the condition shown in Figure 1 the parts just mentioned are in the positions indicated in Figure 6 by the reference characters 92, 93 and 94a' with the crank 98 and the link 99 in substantially the ositions shown in full lines in this figure. The dotted line position of the crank 98 and of the link 99 which corresponds exactly to the position 92a of the crank 92 are not shown in order not to complicate the drawing too greatly.) During the first half of the stroke of the crank 53 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 these parts are brought to the positions indicated in full lines in Figure 6, the sliding member 13 having been brought slightly backward to the position indicated at 13a by means of the crank 98 and the link 99. The two latter members are then in the position indicated at 98a and 99a. It will therefore be seen that during the first half of the stroke of the crank 53 the sliding member 13 and the blade 4 which it carries have remained practically stationary except for the slight movement to the rear and then forwardly again just mentioned. It is during this portion of the stroke that the sliding member 5 and the blade 3 are performing their functions. It will be seen that during a proximately the first quarter of the stroke of the crank 53 the gear 95 is rotated clockwise and the pinion 96 counterclockwise but during the last three quarters of the stroke the gear 95 is rotated counterclockwise and the pinion clockwise. From the position indicatedin full lines in Figure 6 the parts under consideration move to the positions indicated in dotted lines at 92", 93", 94", 98", 99b and 13". At this time the folding blade 4 has been advanced to its extreme forward sition after having imparted the second old'to the paper lat the slot 17, inserting the letter into the envelopein front ofthe feeding compartment 20 and depositing the envelopewith its contents in front of the receiving compartment 21.

There is a four to one ratio between the ear 95 and the pinion 96 but by virtue of iiyhe relation between cranks 92 and 94 and link 93 a quarter revolution ofthe crank 53 will produce only approximately an eighth of a revolution in the gear 95 and approximately a half revolution in the pinion 96 as well as in the shaft 97 the latter imparting its motion to the crank 98 and the link 99. In this way I am able to provide for the long stroke necessary for the blade 4 to accomplish its-various functions. The crank 98 is provided with a stop 100 so that when the blade 4 is in its extreme forward position there is no danger of the crank 98 and the link 99 going past the center of the straight out position to the other side. The return of the blade 4 to the position indicated in Figure 1 is, of course, accomplished upon the reverse stroke of thecrank 53.

Briefly summarizing the sequence of operations is as follows. rlhe sheet to be folded is of course placed in the slot 9 and when this is done the blade 3 is at the far side of the slot 7 opposite to the position indicated in Figure 1; the blade 4 is at its extreme forward position in front of the receiving compartment also opposite to the position indicated in Figure 1; the back opener is in the position indicated at 54" in Figure 5; and the Hap opener is at the position indicated at 43 just about ready to be pulled back by the spring 44 to its position at 43. The crank 53 under these circumstances is, of course, at its backward extreme of travel opposite to the position indicated in Figure 1 and after the sheet has been inserted in the slot 9 it is brought forward in a. Yclockwise direction. During the firstpart of its forward stroke the blade 3 remains substantially stationary in the slot 7 while the blade 4 is brought all the way back to the position indicated in Figure 1 and during the last portion of the forward stroke the blade 3 moves across the. slot 9 to impart the initial fold while the blade 4 remains substantially stationary. 1n the meantime the flap opener has as stated, assumed the position at 43 in Figure 3 and the back opener is about to begin its forward motion from the position indicated in full lines in Figure 5 to that indicated in dotted lines at 54a. (It should be here stated that ,after the blade 4 was retracted the back opener was caused to assume the position indicated in full lines in Figure 5% During the initial movement of the stro :e of the crank 53 in the direction of the arrow of Figure 1 the blade 3 is retracted to its position at the far side of the slot 7 while the blade 4 remains substantially stationary and during the last portionof the stroke of the crank 53 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1, the blade 4 advances, folds the aper at the slot 17 and then passes on to insert it in the envelope now being held out and open by the back opener and then transfers the loaded envelope to a position in front of the receiving stack 21 all as previously stated and described. The pushing device of course is caused to operate just after the blade 4 is retracted and 1t is moved a letter into an empt stack, and means for to a position out of the way of the blade 4 justprior to the time that the blade 4 is advanced.

I claim: p. 4

1. In a mail handling machine, the combination of an envelo e feeding stack, an envelope receiving staci, means for inserting envelope and'carrying the loaded enve ope to the receiving sealing the envelope while in the receiving stack.

2. In a mail handling machine, the combivelope receiving stack, means for opening the ilap of an envelope while in the feeding Stack, means for inserting a. letter into the envelope so opened and carryingthe loaded envelope to the receiving stack with the flap open, means for causing the flap to assume a position substantially at right angles to the face of the envelope and projecting outwardly' from the receiving stack, and means for causing the succeedin said flap as it is carrieiI stack.

3. In a mail handling machine, the combination of an envelope feeding stack, an ento the receiving velope receiving stack, a letter foldingblade having a reciprocatory motion across the faces of said stacks which is ada ted to insert a letter into an envelope an carry the loaded envelope to the receiving stack.

4. In a mail handling machine, the combination of an envelope feeding stack, an envelope receiving stack, means for ofpening the iiap of an envelope while in the ceding Stack, means for opening the back of the envelope, means for inserting a letter into the -envelope so opened and carrying the loaded envelope to the receiving stack with the llap open, means for causing the llap to assume a position substantially at right angles to the face of the envelope and projecting out- Wardly from the receiving stack, and means for causing the succeeding envelope to close said ilap as it is carried to the receiving stack. ,p

5. In a mail handling machine, the combination of an envelope receiving Stack to/ receive the loaded but unsealed envelopes with the flap projecting outwardly substantially at right angles from the back, means for moistenirg substantially that portion of the envelope which comes under the gummed area of the flap, and means for closino` the flap against said moistened area to seal the envelope.

6. In a mail handling machine, the combination of an envelope receiving stack to receive the loaded but unsealed envelopes with the flap projecting outwardly substantially at right angles from the back, means for carrying a loaded envelope across the face of said stack, and means for moiste substantially that portion of the envelope which envelope to close Ablade adapted to open the' flap of velope by transverse motion across the back comes under the gummed area of the flap.

the flap of an envelope so moistened bein closed bythe next envelope to be movev across the face of the receiving stack.4

-7. In a mail -handling machine, the combination of an envelope feeding-stack, and an envelope receiving stack, a reciprocating letter folding blade operating acroijs the faces of said stacks, means for retainin the envelopes in said stacks out of the pat of movement ofsaid blade, means for ulling the outside envelope from off the fbeding stack and holding it in the path of movement of said blade, said blade being ada ted to insert a letter into said envelope an carry the loaded envelope to the receiving stack, and means for pushing the loaded envelope into the receiving stack until it is engaged by the envelope retaining means.

8. Inl a mail handling machine the combination of an envelope feeding stack, a letter folding blade ada ted to reciprocate across the face of the said feeding stack, and

bination of. a reciprocating letter folding blade, an envelope feedin stack out of the path of movement of said blade, the blade,

owever, being arranged to move across the face of the stack, an envelope fiap opening an en thereofand to hold the flap in a straight out position parallel with the body of the envelope and out of the path of movement of the blade, and an envelope back opening de vice adapted to move the body of the envelope `from the feeding stack into the path of movement of the blade, said blade being adapted to insert the folded letter into the envelo e soheld.

10. n a mail handling machine, the combination of envelope feeding mechanism, envelope receiving mechanism, and a reciprocating blade adapted to fold a letter, insert it into an envelope and transfer the loaded envelope from the feeding mechanism to the receiving mechanism. I i

11. In a mail handling machine, the combination of an envelope feeding Stack, a reciprocating letter folding blade, .means for opening the envelope ilap, and a member entering the back of the envelope to .open the sealing device, and an oscillating operating a member having oscillatory motion,

hl I v u shaft from which each of said members or devices receives its motion.

13. In a mail handling machine, the combination of letter folding mechanism,h envelope flap opening mechanism, envelope back opening mechanism, and letter inserting mechanism, each of said mechanisms being adapted to accomplish its function through a 4 member having oscillatory movement.

14. In a mail handling machine, the combination of letter folding mechanism, enve-` lope flap opening mechanism, envelope back opening mechanism, and letter inserting mechanism, each of said mechanisms being adapted to accomplish its function through and a common means for actuating all of said mechanisms.

15. In a mail handling machine, thcl combination of an envelope receiving stack adapted to receive the loaded but unmoistened envelopes with the flap projecting out- Wardly substantially at right angles Ifrom the back, and moistening apparatus, the iap of a moistened envelope being closed to seal the same While in the envelope receiving stack. 1

16. In a mail handling machine, the combination of an envelope' receivlng stack adapted to receive the loaded but unsealed envelopes with the flap projecting outwardly substantially at right angles from the back, means for carrying a loaded envelope across the face of said stack, and a moistening device, the flap of a moistened envelope being.

closed to seal the same by the next envelope to be moved across the face of the receiving stack.

17. In a mail handling machine, the eembination of a reciprocating letter folding blade, an envelope feeding stack arranged and constructed to force the envelopes toward the path of movement of said folding blade, means restraining the envelopes, and a member for removing each outermost envelope in turn and holding it in the path of movement of said folding blade.

18. In a mail handling machine, theeombination of an envelope receiving stack adapted to receive the envelopes with the flap open, a moistening device, means for applying pressure to the back of the stack, means for closing the flap after the moisture has been applied, and means for retaining the envelopes inthe stack against .said pressure whereby the ap is caused to firmly adhere.

19. In a mail handling machine the combination of an envelope feeding stack, an envelope receiving stack adjacent to and parallel with said feeding stack, means for removing the outermost envelope from the feeding stack with the iap in a straight out position parallel with the face of the envelope, means for sliding such envelope across the stacks into position before the receiving stack, means for forcing the envelope into the receiving stack and at the same time moving the fla to a right angled position with the face o the envelope, and means -for closing the flap.

20. In a mail handling machine the combination of an openended envelope feeding compartment adapted to hold a stack of envelopes, means for pressing the stack 'forwardly, means for retaining the outermost envelope, and means for opening the flap of the outermost envelope while in the stack to a position parallel with the face of the envelope.

2l. In a mail handling machine the combination of an open-ended envelope feeding compartment adapted to hold a stack of envelopes, means for pressing the stack forwardly, means for retaining the outermost envelope, means for opening the flap of the outermost envelope to a position parallel with the face of the envelope, and means entering the back of the envelope to open the saine and also to carry it from ott the stack.

22. In a mail handling machine the coinbination of nn open-ended envelope feeding compartment adapted to hold a stack of envelopes, means for pressing the stack forwardly. means for retaining the outermost envelope, means for opening the fiap of the outermost envelope to a position parallel with the face of the envelope, an open-ended envelope receiving compartment adapted to hold a stack of envelopes, means for transferring an envelope from the feeding compartment to a position in front of the refceiving compartment, and means for pressing the envelope into the receiving compartment, the flap on said envelope being at the same time moved to a right angled position with respect to the face of the envelope by contact with vthe edge of the receiving compartment as it is pressed therein.

23. In a mail handling machine, the combination of an envelope receiving compartment in front of the open end of which an envelope is adapted to be placed with its Hap in a straight out position, substantially parallel with the face of the envelope, and means for pressing the envelope into the receiving compartment, the flap being moved to a right angled position with respect to the face of the envelope by contact with the edge of the receiving compartment as it is pressed therein.

24. In a mail handling machine, the combination of an envelope receiving compartment for receiving the envelopes with the flaps projecting outwardly substantially at right angles from the back, and means for carrying an envelope across the face of said envelope receiving stack, a blade having a compartment, the outstanding ilap of the reciprocatory motion across the faces of said 10 last envelope to have been lplaced in the comstacks which is adapted to carry the envelope partment being elosedby theenvelope which from the feeding stack to the receiving stack.

5 is being moved across the face of said com- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto partment. p signed my name.

25. In a mail handling machine, the combination of an envelope feeding stack,V an WM. H. ALDEN, Jn. 

